Redbridge Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Redbridge?

Redbridge can be a good option to live for professionals and families, given its numerous green spaces, connections to the Central and Elizabeth tube lines and its various schools.

Like the rest of London, the cost of living in Redbridge is higher than the national average, but overall buying and renting properties is slightly below the London average.

Redbridge has a range of amenities on offer. The borough is home to several large parks, including Valentines Park and Hainault Forest Country Park, which are popular for outdoor activities, as well as Fairlop Waters Country Park, which offers water sports such as sailing and paddle boarding. For culture and arts, the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford has theatrical productions throughout the year, while the Redbridge Central Library and Museum documents the region’s local history and culture.

The borough has several high streets, including Ilford and Wanstead, which are home to a variety of shops and restaurants. In addition, the Exchange Ilford shopping centre is a popular destination for those looking to do some serious shopping.

Redbridge has good transport links, with a number of Underground, Overground, rail and bus routes covering the borough. The Central line has several connections in Redbridge, with stations such as Wanstead, South Woodford, and Woodford providing easy access to central London. There are also a number of bus routes that run throughout the borough, providing residents with good connectivity to other parts of London.

Finally, Redbridge is known as being family-friendly, with a range of schools on offer, both state-funded and independent. There are numerous primary and secondary schools throughout the borough that have good reputations for academic excellence, as well as colleges that provide further education opportunities.

This guide provides an overview of important statistics about the borough and how it compares to other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Redbridge?

Properties in Redbridge on average cost £455,499.00, ranking the borough as the 12 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry.

In some of the more desirable areas of Redbridge, such as Woodford, Wanstead, and South Woodford, you can expect to pay more for property due to the high demand from buyers. These areas are known for their leafy streets, good schools, and excellent transport links, which can all add to the value of properties in the area. There are also more affordable areas of Redbridge where property prices may be lower. For example, areas such as Chadwell Heath, Seven Kings, and Goodmayes may be more affordable for those looking to buy a property in Redbridge.

How much does it cost to rent in Redbridge?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £885 per month to rent which ranks 4 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,170 per month to rent which ranks 9 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,452 per month to rent which ranks 8 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £1,770 per month to rent which ranks 8 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £2,343 per month to rent which ranks 8 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Redbridge?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 108000 in total, ranking 18 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 38.0% of households are owned outright
• 29.0% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 7.6% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 7.6% of households are privately rented

Is Redbridge a good place to live?

Although determining whether an area is a good place to live is subjective, we can use data on personal wellbeing collected by the ONS through the Annual Population Survey as an indicator to compare boroughs:

• Redbridge ranks 17 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Redbridge ranks 18 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Redbridge ranks 20 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Redbridge ranks 14 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Redbridge and are they good?

In total Redbridge has 95 schools, which are broken down into:

• 52 state primary schools
• 19 state secondary schools
• 17 independent schools

Some notable primary schools in Redbridge include Avanti Court Primary School, Fullwood Primary School, and Highlands Primary School. For secondary education, there are a number of schools in the borough, such as Woodford County High School for Girls, Ilford County High School for Boys, and Trinity Catholic High School. In addition to state-funded schools, there are also a number of independent schools in Redbridge, such as Bancroft’s School, Forest School, and Woodford Green Preparatory School.

For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.

Is Redbridge polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Redbridge ranks 12 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Redbridge ranks 12 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Redbridge ranks 11 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Redbridge?

The employment rate in Redbridge is 72.3% which ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of highest employment rate.

Employment rate is important to know for those considering moving to the area, as it can provide an indication of the job market and economic opportunities available in the borough.

Is Redbridge a wealthy area?

The average income in Redbridge is £42,700 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 25 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Is Redbridge a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Redbridge has a mix of cultures and religions, with its Muslim and Hindu populations in particular being significant. According to the ONS:

• 39.3% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 27.7% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 10.5% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 4.2% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 4.8% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 0.0% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Redbridge?

Redbridge is 56.4 km2, making it the 9th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 320,018 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 14 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 5,672, ranking it 20 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Redbridge safe?

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:

• 17,535 total reported crimes and 54.79 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 9 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 996 total reported burglaries and 3.11 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 10 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,184 total reported cases of criminal damage and 3.70 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 7 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 575 total reported drug related crimes and 1.80 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 11 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 710 total reported robberies and 2.22 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 14 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 364 total reported sexual offences and 1.14 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 9 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 8,324 total reported thefts and 26.01 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 13 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 5,149 total reported violent crimes and 16.09 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Redbridge as 11 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Redbridge have?

There are numerous public transport options available in Redbridge, with connections to other parts of London via tube, overground, rail and bus services.

In terms of London Underground connections, the Central Line runs through several stations in Redbridge, including Redbridge, Snaresbrook, Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Barkingside, Fairlop, Hainault, Woodford and South Woodford. This new Elizabeth Line stops at Ilford, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath stations.

The borough is served by several rail stations, including Ilford, which offers services to Stratford and Liverpool Street, as well as other destinations in Essex and East Anglia.

Finally, Redbridge has a comprehensive bus network, with several routes serving the area. Some of the main routes include the 25, which runs from Ilford to Oxford Circus, the 86, which runs from Romford to Stratford, and the 123, which runs from Wood Green to Ilford.

What places are in Redbridge?

There are several distinct areas in the borough of Redbridge, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:

• Ilford – A bustling town centre with a range of shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
• Wanstead – A leafy suburban area with beautiful parks and green spaces.
• Barkingside – A residential area with a mix of housing types and a range of local amenities.
• Seven Kings – A diverse and multicultural neighbourhood with good transport links.
• Gants Hill – An up-and-coming area with a mix of residential and commercial properties, including a popular shopping centre.
• South Woodford – A popular area with young professionals and families, with a range of shops, restaurants, and bars.
• Woodford Green – A suburban area with a mix of historic and modern properties, as well as several parks and green spaces.
• Hainault – A residential area with a large country park and several outdoor activities on offer.
• Clayhall – A suburban neighbourhood with a mix of housing types, parks, and local amenities.

What is Redbridge famous for?

Redbridge is is known for several cultural and social attractions that are popular with residents and visitors alike, such as:

1. Valentines Mansion: an iconic 17th century mansion set in beautiful gardens.
2. Redbridge Drama Centre: a venue offering a range of plays, workshops, and performances throughout the year.
3. The Redbridge Museum: a museum showcasing the borough’s rich history and heritage.
4. The Redbridge Music Lounge: a popular music venue that hosts a variety of live performances and events.
5. Wanstead Park: home to several lakes, wildlife, and historic features.
6. Redbridge Green Fair: a popular event that promotes sustainability and eco-friendly living.
7. Redbridge Cycling Centre: a state-of-the-art facility that offers cycling lessons and hosts competitive events.
8. Hainault Forest Country Park: a green space offering a range of outdoor activities and events.
9. Ilford Golf Club: home of several high-profile golfing events over the years.
10. Fairlop Waters Country Park: a park featuring a range of water-based activities and events.

What boroughs are next to Redbridge?

Redbridge is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The London Borough of Havering is to the east
• The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham is to the east
• The London Borough of Newham is to the south
• The London Borough of Waltham Forest is to the west

The borough also shares a border with the county of Essex to the north.